US3791151A - Shoring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic shoring apparatus including oppositely positioned trench rails adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation and hydraulic jack means pivotally connected with the trench rails. The hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, the piston having a rod adjustably attached therewith whereby the application of hydraulic fluid under pressure into the cylinder causes movement of the piston and rod to an extended position such that the trench rails are maintained against the sides of the trench. Protective sleeve means are mounted over the cylinder and rod with the rod in the extended position in order to protect both the cylinder and the rod from damage.

Description

United States Patent [191 Plank SHORING APPARATUS v [76] Inventor: David O. Plank, PO. Box 12591,

Houston, Tex. 77017 [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 304,824

[52] US. Cl. 61/41 A, 61/63 [51] Int. Cl. E2111 5/00 [58] Field of Search. 61/41 A, 41, 63; 92/165, 108,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,224,201 12/1965 Brunton 61/41 A 3,362,167 1/1968 Ward 61/41 'A 804,696 11/1905 Winterhoff... 61/39 X 3,172,339 3/1965 Quayle 92/51 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,601,715 8/l970 Germany 92/108 [4 1 Feb. 12, 1974 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor [57] ABSTRACT A hydraulic shoring apparatus including oppositely positioned trench rails adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation and hydraulic jack means pivotally connected with the trench rails. The hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, the piston having a rod adjustably attached therewith whereby the application of hydraulic fluid under pressure into the cylinder causes movement of the piston and rod to an extended position such that the trench rails are maintained against the sides of the trench. Protective sleeve means are mounted over the cylinder and rod with the rod in the extended position in order to protect both the cylinder and the rod from damage.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures sbmmm PATENTEDFEB 12 m4 SHEET 2 [1F 2 SHORING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is hydraulic shoring.

Various devices have been used in the prior art to shore up the sides of a trench or other excavation in order to prevent a potentially dangerous collapse of the trench sides. For example, timber and steel have been used to provide structural bracing; mechanical jacks have also been used to provide reinforcement against the sides of trenches. One very effective type of shoring apparatus is a hydraulic shoring apparatus such as disclosed in US. Pat. No'. 3,224,20l, issued to Brunton. The Brunton US. Pat. No. 3,224,201 discloses the use of a hydraulic jack assembly connected to rails to shore trench sides. One'of the difficulties in utilizing the device illustrated in the Brunton US. Pat. No. 3,224,201 is that the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic jack assemblies are .exposed to dirt, debris and fluid. Over a period of time, the dirt, debris or water may work or seep into the between the moving parts of the hydraulic jack assembly thereby causing damage which must be repaired.

US. Pat. No. 3,362,167, issued to Ward, discloses an oversleeve which is adapted to be mounted over the rod and cylinder of the hydraulic jack assembly in order to protect the rod when it is moved to an extended position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved shoring apparatus to further prevent the entry of dirt, debris or fluid into the mechanism. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the hydraulic shoring apparatus includes spaced trench rails which are pivotally interconnected by means of an hydraulic jack means. The hydraulic jack means includes an hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein. A rod is attached to the piston and the cylinder is pivotally attached to one of a pair of spaced trench rails while the rod is pivotally attached to the other of the spaced trench rails. In order to protect the cylinders as well as the rod, sleeve protective means are provided for mounting over both the cylinder and rod, even with the rod in the extended position, in order to protect against dirt and debris.

The protective sleeve means includes a first sleeve mounted over the rod and a second sleeve mounted over the first sleeve and the cylinder. The first and second sleeves are in slidable engagement with each other and seal means are provided between the first and second sleeves and between the first sleeve and the cylinder in order to prevent the entry of fluid into the hydraulic cylinder and piston and rod mechanism.

In another embodiment of this invention, a spiraled,

- 2 block which pivotally connects the rod to one of the trench rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the hydraulic shoring apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of a hydraulic jack assembly of the preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the cylinder and fluid transfer block of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the protective sleeve means of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the letter S generally designates a hydraulic shoring device for supporting or shoring the sides of a trench, ditch or other excavation. The shoring apparatus S includes oppositely positionedtrench rails 10 and 11 which are interconnected and moved between collapsed andv extended positions by means of upper and lower hydraulic jack mechanisms generally designated as 12 and 13, respectively. The upperhydraulic jack mechanism 12 is connected with the lower hydraulic jack mechanism 13 byhose 14 and asupply hose 15 is also connected to the upper jack mechanism whereby hydraulic fluid under pressure can be provided to actuate both hydraulic jack mechanisms telescoping sleeve is mounted over both the cylinder and the rod in the extended position and is moved to a retracted position when the rod is moved to a retracted position. I

It is a further object of this invention to adjust the effective length of the hydraulic jack assembly in the ex-' 12 and 13 substantially simultaneously. Of course, the fluidic interconnection of theupper jack mechanism 12 and the lower jack mechanism 13 also provides for coordinated movement of the hydraulic jack mechanisms.

The rail 11 is an elongated, flat metal rail having a substantially flat outsidesurface 110 adapted to press against and support a portion of the side of a ditch, trench or other excavation.Support ribs 11b and 11c extend inwardly from inside surface 11d of the rail 11 longitudinally throughout the length of the rail. Each of the ribs suchas therib 11b has, in cross-section as viewed in FIG. 2, an L shape formed of portions He and 11f. A fillet 11g is formed with theportions lle and 11f to further strengthen thesupport rib 11b. Similarly, the support rib 11c is L-shaped.

The oppositely positionedrail 10 has a flat outside surface 10a and support ribs 10b and extending longitudinally of the rail from inside surface 10d thereof. The support ribs 10b and 100 are similar in cross-sectional configuration to supportribs 11b and 110.

nism 12 is illustrated in cross-section in connection withopposing rails 10 and 11. It should be understood that the lower hydraulic jack mechanism 13 is basically identical in structure to the upperhydraulic jack mechanism 12; therefore, number and letter designations applied to theupper jack mechanism 12 will also apply to the lower jack mechanism 13, with certain limited exceptions noted herein.

The upperhydraulic jack mechanism 12 includes acylinder 16 having a threaded outer end portion 16a. A cylinder pad 17 (FIG. 3) includes a threaded opening 17a adapted to threadedly engage the threaded end portion 16a of the cylinder. An O-ring seal 18a is mounted in annular groove 17b in thecylinder pad 17. Further, an annular, resilient seal 18b is positioned between the O-ring 18a and the end face 16b of thecylinder 16 in order to prevent the passage of fluid between thecylinder pad 17 and the cylinder end portion 16a.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylinder pad orblock 17 further includes a bolt opening 170 which is adapted for alignment withopenings 11b and 11c in rail support ribs 111; and 11c, respectively. A bolt 19 extends through rib opening 11b, bolt opening 170 and rib opening 11c and is fastened by means of a nut 19a or other suitable means. In this manner,thecylinder pad 17 cooperates with bolt 19 to pivotally mount thecylinder 16 for pivotal movement with respect to the rail 11.

Thecylinder pad 17 includes a first port or bore 17d which is in fluid communication with a second threaded port or bore 172 through a chamber 17f which opens up into threaded opening 17a. A passage 17g interconnects the threaded port 17d with the chamber 17f. The hydraulic fluid supply hose includes amale coupler element 15a which is threaded into connection with the port 17d in thepad 17 for the upperhydraulic jack mechanism 12. Further, thehydraulic line 14 is connected into the threaded port 17a of thepad 17 for the upper jack mechanism by means of a male coupler (not shown). Thehydraulic hose 14 is also connected by a male coupler 14a to the port 17a for the lower hydraulic jack assembly. Theport 17e of thecylinder pad 17 for the lower jack mechanism 13 is plugged by any suitable threaded plug (not shown). Thus hydraulic fluid under pressure enters through thesupply line 15 into thecylinder pad 17 for the upperhydraulic jack assembly 12 and passes through theupper cylinder pad 17, through hose l4 and into thecylinder pad 17 for the lower jack assembly 13 such that hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied to both upper andlower jack assemblies 12 and 13 substantially simultaneously.

Referring again to the upperhydraulic jack assembly 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, apiston 20 is slidably, sealably mounted for movement within thebore 160 of thecylinder 16. Thepiston 20 includes amain body portion 200 having an annular recess 20b. A shaft 21 is mounted in thepiston 20 and includes threadedend portions 21a and 21b which extend outwardly from thepiston 20. Apiston head plate 200 is mounted onto threadedshaft end portion 21b and is secured thereto bynut 20d or other suitable means. The recess 20b, which is annular in configuration, receives anannular seal 22 which includes a lip portion 22a which is urged into slidable, sealing engagement with the cylinder bore 166 by the application of hydraulic fluid under pressure from within the chamber C within thecylinder 16 formed by thepiston 20. Ahollow rod 23 is threadedly mounted over threadedshaft end portion 21a so that the rod-is firmly mounted with thepiston 20. I

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a rod block orpad 24 having abolt opening 24a which is adapted to be aligned with support rib openings 10b and 100'. Abolt 25 extends through the support rib opening 10b and 100' and through thebolt opening 240 in therod pad 24 and is secured by nut 25a or other suitable means. Therod pad 24 is thus pivotally mounted for pivotal movement with respect to thetrench rail 10. Referring in particular to FIG. 5, it is noted thebolt opening 24a is located atlower end 24b of therod pad 24. In contrast, referring to FIG. 1, thecylinder pads 17 are pivotally attached to the trench rail 11 at their upper end for rotation about the upperend. However, therod pad 24 for both the upper andlower jack assemblies 12 and 13, respectively, are pivotally connected aboutlower pad end 24b for rotation thereabout.

A threadedstud 26 is threadedly mounted into threadedopening 240 in therod pad 24. The direction of the threadedportion 26a of the threadedstud 26 mounted in therod pad 24 is opposite from the thread direction of the remaining threaded portion 26b ofstud 26. For example, threadedportion 26a may have lefthanded threads and threaded portion 26b may have right-handed threads.

Thehollow rod 23 further includes threaded end portion 23b having right-handed threads so that thehollow rod 23 can be threadedly mounted onto threaded portion 26b of thestud 26 such that therod 23 is attached to therod pad 24, which is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to thetrench rail 10. A locking pin such as acotter pin 27 may be mounted in aligned openings in the threadedrod 23 and threadedstud 26 in order to secure therod pad 24 against rotation with respect torod 23.

Therod block 24 includes anannular ridge portion 24d which is formed integrally therewith and extends inwardly. Theannular ridge 24d can also be a pipe segment which is welded or otherwise mounted onto therod pad 24. Aprotective sleeve 30 having an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the annularrod pad ridge 24d is mounted over therod pad ridge 24d. Set screws 31 extend through theprotective sleeve 30 into engagement with theannular ridge 24d to mount and secure theprotective sleeve 30 to therod pad 24. The length of theprotective sleeve 30 is such that anend portion 30a thereof slidably mounts over thecylinder 16 even when thepiston 20 androd 23 are fully extended. This fully extended position for theprotective sleeve 30 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. In the fully extended position for thepiston 20 androd 23, thepiston 20 is located substantially atcylinder end 16d as designated by the letter E. When thepiston 20 androd 23 are in the fully retracted position, thepiston 20 is substantially adjacent threaded sleeve end portion 16a as designated by the letter R. In the retracted position, theprotective sleeve 30 is telescoped substantially completely over thecylinder 16. Seal means in the form of an O-ring 32 is mounted in a groove 30b atsleeve end 30a in order to prevent the passage of fluid between thesleeve 30 and thecylinder 16.

Apipe section 33 is mounted ontoinside face 17h of thecylinder pad 17 and extends inwardly towardrail 10. Thepipe segment 33 may be welded or otherwise attached to theinside face 17h. If desired, thepipe segment 33 may be formed integrally with the rod pad. An outerprotective sleeve 35 is mounted over theannular pipe segment 33 and is secured thereto byset screws 36. The outerprotective sleeve 35 extends into slidable engagement over the insideprotective sleeve 30, even when thepiston 20 androd 23 are in the fully extended position E. An O-ring 37 is mounted in agroove 35a in the outerprotective sleeve 35 and slidably, sealably mounts the outerprotective sleeve 35 for slidable, sealable movement over the innerprotective sleeve 30. When thepiston 20 androd 23 are moved to the retracted position R heretofore described, theinner sleeve 30 telescopes within theouter sleeve 35 thereby providing double protection for thecylinder 16. Therefore, in utilizing the protectiveinner sleeve 30 andouter sleeve 35, both therod 23 and thecylinder 16 are protected against falling debris, dirt and fluid even when thepiston 20 androd 23 are in the extended position E heretofore described.

Referring to FIG. 4, the basic hydraulic shore S is again illustrated but, in the embodiment of FIG. 4 a spiraled, telescoping sleeve is mounted over thecylinder 16 androd 23. The small end 40a of the spiraledsleeve 40 is mounted withinannular ridge 24d of therod pad 24. Thelarger end 40b of the spiraled sleeve is mounted within the annular ridge orpipe segment 33 attached to thecylinder pad 17. The spiraled sleeve acts to expand as thepiston 20 androd 23 are moved to the extended position illustrated in FIG. 4 and to contract to a collapsed position when thepiston 20 androd 23 are moved to the collapsed, retracted position. The spiraledsleeve 40 is formed substantially of a continuous metal piece which is spiraled into a telescoping shape such that individual windings such as 400 are telescoped within adjacent, larger windings such as 40d when the spiraled sleeve is contracted betweenrod pad 24 andcylinder pad 17. Such a spiraled sleeve is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,300,042.

The general operation and use of the hydraulic shoring apparatus S of this invention may be described as operating in the following manner. The trench rail 11 has ahandle 42 pivotally mounted onto the upper end thereof by any suitable means. Similarly, the trench rail has ahandle 43 pivotally mounted onto the upper end thereof. The hydraulic shoring apparatus S is low ered into a ditch or trench utilizing hooks (not shown) attached onto thehandles 42 and 43. Generally, the shoring apparatus S is in a folded position when it is first lowered into a trench. In the folded position, the upper and lower hydraulic jack assemblies are positioned at acute angles with respect to therails 10 and 11. This folded position is accomplished by movingrail 10 in the direction ofarrow 44 or rail 11 in the direction ofarrow 45, or by moving both rails in these respective directions simultaneously. As the shoring apparatus S is moved to the folded position described, thecylinder pads 17 pivot aboutupper ends 17c thereof and therod pads 24 pivot about lower ends 24b thereof.

With the hydraulic shoring apparatus S positioned within the trench, the rail 11 is abutting one side of the trench. A hook may then be utilized inhandle 43 to lower therail 10 until the upper and lowerhydraulic jack mechanisms 12 and Bare substantially perpendicular to therails 10 and 11. When thehydraulic jack mechanisms 12 and 13 are substantially perpendicular to therails 10 and 11, force transferring face 171' of thecylinder pads 17 abut inside surface 11d of rail 1 1. Similarly,force transferring surfaces 24e ofrod pads 24 abut inside rail surface 10d. These force transferring surfaces, 24e forrod pads 24 and l7i forcylinder pads 17, abut against the inside rail surfaces 10d and 11d,

fully (through hose 14) whereby the piston androd 23 attached thereto are moved outwardly to the extended position E. In that position, the effective distance d of therails 10 and 11 (the distance between rail surfaces 10a and 11a) is at a maximum andrail 10 is abutting the other side of the trench being shored. Thus the trench sides are shored and maintained by the resistive force of the hydraulic fluid under pressure in thecylinders 16. It should be understood that therails 10 and 11 may be moved to less than the maximum position represented by the letter d and thus maintain and shore the sides of more narrow trenches.

lt should be noted that the threaded port 17d in eachcylinder pad 17 has an axis 450 that is positioned at an angle of 7 with respect to theaxis 45b of the cylinder 16 (line 45c being parallel toaxis 45b). It has been found that the positioning of the port 17d at such an angle provides less resistance to the removal of hydraulic fluid from chambers C of thecylinders 16 when it respectively, and prevent further rotation of the shoris desired to move the rails,piston 20 androd 23 to the retracted position R (as schematically shown for piston 20).

There are occasions when the width of the ditch or trench being shored is greater than the maximum effective width of the hydraulic shoring apparatus, which is generally represented by the letter d. In this situation, it is desirable to lengthen the effective length of the ho]-low rod 23. This is accomplished by rotating thehollow rod 23 with respect to piston shaft 21 thereby moving rod end 230 away from thepiston 20. The effective length of therod 23 can be further expanded by removing thelock pin 27 and by removing thebolt 25 from therod pad 24. Then, therail 10 can be removed and therod pad 24 is rotated to cause the rod pad to be moved away from .rod end 23d. Thelock pin 27 can then be mounted in another opening (not shown) in therod 23 and extend through an opening in thestud 26 to again lock thestud 26 androd pad 24 against rotation. The rod pad is then again mounted with therail 10 by means ofbolt 25.

ln this manner, the effective length of therod 23 and thus the effective distance d between theextended rails 10 and 11 is increased so that the shoring apparatus can be utilized in ditches of at least greater width. It should be understood that any suitable materials can be utilized in this invention, including synthetic materials as 'well as aluminum and other metals.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A hydraulically actuated shoring device, comprising:

a pair of oppositely positioned trench rails. adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation;

hydraulic jack means connected to said trench rails for moving said rails to an extended position in which said rails support the sides of a trench or other excavation;

said hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, said piston having arod attached thereto whereby said piston and said rod are movable between retracted and extended positions as determined by the exit and entry, respectively, of hydraulic fluid under pressure;

cylinder pivot means pivotally connecting said cylinder to one of said trench rails and rod pivot means pivotally connecting said rod to said oppositely positioned trench rail;

protective sleeve means mounted over said cylinder and rod in order to protect both said cylinder and said rod from damage, said protective sleeve means being retractable and extendable with said hydraulic jack means and further including a first sleeve attached to said rod pivot means and extending into slidable engagement with said hydraulic cylinder, said cylinder being provided with protection when said jack means is in said retracted position and said rod being provided with protection in said extended position;

first seal means positioned between said first sleeve and said cylinder to prevent the passage or fluid, dirt or debris therebetween;

a second sleeve attached to said cylinder pivot means and mounted over said cylinder and extended into slidable engagement with said first sleeve; and

second seal means positioned between said first sleeve and said second sleeve to prevent the passage of fluid, dirt or debris therebetween in order to protect said cylinder with said jack means in said extended position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

said rod being hollow and threaded on the inside wall thereof at both ends thereof;

said rod pivot means including a force block pivotally mounted with one of said oppositely positioned trench rails, said force block having a threaded bolt extending therefrom in threaded engagement with the inside wall of one end of said rod; and

said piston having a shaft mounted therewith, said shaft including a threaded portion extending into threaded engagement with the other threaded end of said rod whereby the effective length of said cylinder piston and rod combination in said extended position is adjustable.

3. A hydraulically actuated shoring device, comprisa pair of oppositely positioned trench rails adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation;

hydraulic jack means connected to said trench rails for moving said rails to an extended position in which said rails support the sides of a trench or other excavation;

said hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, said piston having a rod attached thereto whereby said piston and said rod are movable between retracted and extended positions as determined by the exit and entry, respectively, of hydraulic fluid under pressure;

cylinder pivot means pivotally connecting said cylinder to one of said trench rails and rod pivot means pivotally connecting said rod to said oppositely positioned trench rail; and

protective sleeve means mounted over said cylinder and rod in order to protect both said cylinder and said rod from damage, said protective sleeve means being retractable and extendable with said hydraulicjack means and including a spiraled, telescoping sleeve mounted over said cylinder and rod and extending between said cylinder and rod pivot means.

Claims (3)

1. A hydraulically actuated shoring device, comprising: a pair of oppositely positioned trench rails adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation; hydraulic jack means connected to said trench rails for moving said rails to an extended position in which said rails support the sides of a trench or other excavation; said hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, said piston having a rod attached thereto whereby said piston and said rod are movable between retracted and extended positions as determined by the exit and entry, respectively, of hydraulic fluid under pressure; cylinder pivot means pivotally connecting said cylinder to one of said trench rails and rod pivot means pivotally connecting said rod to said oppositely positioned trench rail; protective sleeve means mounted over said cylinder and rod in order to protect both said cylinder and said rod from damage, said protective sleeve means being retractable and extendable with said hydraulic jack means and further including a first sleeve attached to said rod pivot means and extending into slidable engagement with said hydraulic cylinder, said cylinder being provided with protection when said jack means is in said retracted position and said rod being provided with protection in said extended position; first seal means positioned between said first sleeve and said cylinder to prevent the passage or fluid, dirt or debris therebetween; a second sleeve attached to said cylinder pivot means and mounted over said cylinder and extended into slidable engagement with said first sleeve; and second seal means positioned between said first sleeve and said second sleeve to prevent the passage of fluid, dirt or debris therebetween in order to protect said cylinder with said jack means in said extended position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, including: said rod being hollow and threaded on the inside wall thereof at both ends thereof; said rod pivot means including a force block pivotally mounted with one of said oppositely positioned trench rails, said force block having a threaded bolt extending therefrom in threaded engagement with the inside wall of one end of said rod; and said piston having a shaft mounted therewith, said shaft including a threaded portion extending inTo threaded engagement with the other threaded end of said rod whereby the effective length of said cylinder piston and rod combination in said extended position is adjustable.

3. A hydraulically actuated shoring device, comprising: a pair of oppositely positioned trench rails adapted for placement against the sides of a trench or other excavation; hydraulic jack means connected to said trench rails for moving said rails to an extended position in which said rails support the sides of a trench or other excavation; said hydraulic jack means including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein, said piston having a rod attached thereto whereby said piston and said rod are movable between retracted and extended positions as determined by the exit and entry, respectively, of hydraulic fluid under pressure; cylinder pivot means pivotally connecting said cylinder to one of said trench rails and rod pivot means pivotally connecting said rod to said oppositely positioned trench rail; and protective sleeve means mounted over said cylinder and rod in order to protect both said cylinder and said rod from damage, said protective sleeve means being retractable and extendable with said hydraulic jack means and including a spiraled, telescoping sleeve mounted over said cylinder and rod and extending between said cylinder and rod pivot means.

Images